Strawberry Blonde

四十七

"What do you mean you invited him to hang out with us tomorrow ? Also we're hanging out tomorrow ?" Laurence said while parked in front of my house.

" Can you just wait and listen !" I said looking at the fading sun.

" You know you're really funny Hassan, you waited till we got to your house to tell me that cause you knew I would drop your ass off if you told me sooner."

I looked at him and raised a single eyebrow.

" ....okay that was an overstep I'm sorry, but seriously ? I can't hang out with him."

" Laurence he's like us." I said sighing.

" ...He's a boy ?"

" No he's gay ! Or bi ? I don't know but he likes guys and his dad is abusing him at home. Tanner thinks the reason for that is cause his sexuality reminds his dad that his mom left him for a woman." I said.

Laurence threw his head back into the car seat.

" Well ?" I asked.

" Well what ?" He muttered.

" Well what do you think ? I don't have to go to school tomorrow if I don't want to. I'll be home all day and I could get everything ready for you, Bryan, Charolette and Tanner." I said

" Wait they agreed to have him there !?"

" Well..." I said biting my tongue.

"Hassan."

" I'm gunna tell em ! I just don't know how, he needs help, I don't want to put his business out there but he needs this. How would you feel if you were in his shoes ?" I said giving him puppy dog eyes.

He stared at me and I could tell he was trying not to cave in but then huffed in defeat.

" Fine, if he does anything or says anything to upset you or anyone for that matter he's dead, and I mean it this time. His home life will be the least of his worries." He said coldly with his jaw clenched.

Laurence was so dominate whenever he got upset. I didn't like it when he was upset but I sure do love it when he got like this.

I leaned over and kissed him on his neck and he slightly flinched at first.

He smiled back at me and put his hand under my chin and tilted my head to face his eyes.

" You know how scared I was Hassan...I'm never going to lose you and I'll always be there to protect you." He said before kissing my forehead.
" Now come on and let's get you out this car !"

He quickly got out the drivers side and slide over the hid of the car just so he could open my door.
" M'lady !" He said gesturing for my hand.

I rolled my eyes trying to fight a smile and took his hand as he whisked me to my feet.

" You know Charolette is probably going to try and poison him tomorrow right ?" He said stopping before we reached the front door.

" Between you, her and Bryan, my bet is on her verbally mauling him first then you physically trying to erase him from existence." I said half jokingly.

" Got that right." He said kissing me one last time and ringing my doorbell before starting to walk back to the car.

" I'll text you when I get home !" He called back.

I gave him a mini salute and wink before he drove off.

I felt good for some reason. Like waking up today, although in a hospital, was a brand new start. A chance to make things right, a chance to just be better, do better, and try to heal not just myself but the people around me. I feel like I was finally finding my purpose here.

                                 ><•><

Waking up proved to be harder than I thought. The sore pain the nurse warned me about was really no joke, I thought I had a high pain tolerance cause yesterday I didn't feel it at all but today it was kicking my ass.

I got out of bed and opened my blinds and the sun illuminated my room.

Last night wasn't so bad. Mom was a little worried I came home late but a little Hassan magic never hurt a soul ! I just can't believe they agreed to let me have a get together. That was so unlike them.

I guess when you're child is in a coma for four days straight you start to give them a little more freedom.

I laughed at my thoughts and caught myself in the mirror.

I didn't notice at first but the toned physique I had seemed smaller. There were purple patches on my arms from where the needles and bandaids were and an unsymmetrically scar on my stomach from surgery.

My freckles seemed more prominent, my body hair was more noticeable then before, and my hair seemed a mess.

I felt...insecure. I know I'm saying this like it's the first time in forever but I never seen myself so different before.

I shook it off though, something to deal with later, right now I just needed to breathe.

I looked out the window toward the bright sky and texted Laurence good morning followed by three heart emojis and he automatically sent me a paragraph confessing his undying love for me which he probably wrote in his notes last night.

I smiled at it and then seen a friend request alert on one of my social media's.

It was Tanner.

" Hey I don't know if you're going to stay home today but if you are, since I'm suspended can we talk again before we hang out ?"

I grew somewhat anxious reading his text. What could he have wanted to say before hand ? Everyone already left my house but as much as I want to help him I don't really trust him being in here alone with me.

I opened the message and started to text him back.

Hassan: What is it that u wanted to talk about ?

Tanner: id rather not say it over a text :/

Hassan: Umm...do you want to call me ?

Tanner: I kinda want to say it in person, I felt really comfortable talking to you yesterday that way..

Hassan: I have to get everything ready for today and it's gonna take me longer than usual since I have this sore pain.

I could tell that probably made him feel guilty from the way he didn't text back quickly. I didn't mean to make him feel bad but that was the truth, moving around today hurt and putting everything together was going to take longer than it usually would have.

Tanner: Maybe I could come over and help you out before hand ? I'll pick up some stuff at the store today and head over to help you set up if you want ?

Hassan: yeah sure ! That would be great actually !

Now why the fuck did I say that ? I just said I didn't feel safe with him in my house and now- ugh what is wrong with me today !? I'm always getting myself into mess.

I guess I should tell Laurence that he's coming over...but I don't want to stress him out.

I'll just tell him later, it'll be no biggie, besides he has other tasks to do. Last night we consulted the Magic 8 ball we got on our first not official date so he's the one that has to tell Bryan and Charolette that Tanner is coming.

I just hope all of this doesn't blow out of hand in a seemingly predictable foreshadowing way.